Vans is among the many brands that is joining the call for sustainability, and they kick things off with an all-new silhouette called the Circle Vee. While sporting a familiar Vans DNA–somewhat close to the Old Skool, the Circle Vee utilizes a one-piece natural white knitted upper, with the “Eco Theory” version adding graphics to the whole upper.
The upper of the Circle Vee is stitched directly into the outsole and is made from 48% organic cotton, 47% hemp, and 5% nylon, while the laces are made from 100% jute natural fibers. The same sustainability theme can be seen with the natural rubber outsole and the slip-on EcoCush insole that’s made from 70% biobased FATES foam that’s derived from plant-based oils.
We got our hands on the Circle Vee “Eco Positivity”, and here are our impressions of Vans’ latest sustainable sneaker:
What’s New
While you can distinguish the Vans DNA from it, the Circle Vee employs a more simplified construction, where you get a one-piece knitted upper that’s stitched directly into the natural rubber outsole. It has a two-piece design, as the insole is a pretty chunky affair. The thick insole is a necessary part of the Circle Vee, as the sneaker does not have a real midsole since the outsole it uses is the cupsole variety.
Vans has been improving the cushioning of its sneakers in the past few years, and the EcoCush has a cork-like footbed and adequately thick cushioning on the heel area. The foam used feels like Nike’s Lunarlon foam that’s commonly used in SB Dunks these days. That’s not surprising, as the Circle Vee does have Vans DNA through and through, and any pair of Vans are made to withstand hours and hours of skateboarding.
The “Eco Theory” is part of Vans’ “Eco Positivity” Collection, so you get a graphics-laden upper that has that 60s hippie vibe down to the typography used for the text around the sneaker. Despite the graphic-laden upper, the colors are more on the muted side, making it not as loud as we expected it to be.
How Do We Feel About Them?
To be quite honest, Vans is pretty underappreciated in the Philippines outside of skateboarding and music artists. However, thanks to pop culture influences like Squid Game and collabs with Sailor Moon, SpongeBob, and The Simpsons, Vans is improving its presence locally–without its sneakers going for sky-high resell prices.
With the Circle Vee, it’s nice to see Vans show care for Earth by utilizing sustainable materials–all while tweaking its signature DNA into an all-new silhouette. The Circle Vee has all the markings of a classic Vans sneaker, except that it’s modernized for millennials and Gen Zers.
Fit and Sizing
Vans is generally consistent with its sizing, so going True to Size is recommended for the Circle Vee. Compared to other Vans sneakers, the one-piece knitted upper makes it suitable for those with wide feet, as the knitting is snug enough to keep your feet secure and comfortable at the same time.
Where To Buy
The Circle Vee “Eco Theory” (and the plain white version) is priced at Php 6,998 and is available online via the official Vans Philippines Chat & Shop Store and at select Vans stores nationwide that include:
- Vans Market Market
- Vans Greenbelt 3
- Vans Trinoma
- Vans Glorietta 3
- Vans Robinsons Place Manila
- Vans Ayala Cebu
- Vans Alabang Town Center
- Vans Festival Mall
- Vans UP Town Center
- Vans SM Megamall
- Vans SM North EDSA
- Vans SM Fairview
- Vans Robinsons Galleria
Vans Circle Vee “Eco Theory” Verdict
If you are looking for a modern-looking pair of Vans that is earth-friendly at the same time, the Circle Vee is a great choice to choose from. Even if you are not into skateboarding, the Circle Vee makes for a great casual sneaker–and is comfortable for long walks too thanks to its thick insole cushioning.
The “Eco Theory” version is a statement in showing your love for mother earth, but if you want to keep things simple, there’s a graphic-free Circle Vee with gum-colored outsoles that should suit your taste.
